Shetland is back for series 10 and will see the much-loved team head to a small village in Scotland following the sinister murder of an elderly woman
This Morning: Ashley Jensen on the success of Shetland
Shetland is returning for its tenth series, taking the beloved team to a quaint Scottish village following the chilling murder of an elderly woman. Fans of the enduring murder mystery drama will be delighted to see some familiar faces back on their screens.
Alison O’Donnell and Ashley Jensen are reprising their roles as DI Alison ‘Tosh’ McIntosh and DI Ruth Calder, alongside Steven Robertson as Sandy and Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy McCabe. Samuel Anderson, known for his role in Gavin and Stacey as Fingers, joins the cast this year as Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake.
Audiences may also recognise Samuel from his roles in Amandaland as Mal, Loaded as Leon, Trollied as Daniel, Doctor Who as Danny Pink, and Emmerdale as Ross Kirk between 2007 and 2009.
In addition to the main cast, there’s an impressive line-up of guest characters being introduced for series 10 as the team heads to the secluded hamlet of Lunniswick, where the body of retired social worker Eadie Tulloch has been exposed to the elements for several days.
Guest stars include Clive Russell from Outlander and Game of Thrones, who previously appeared on Shetland in season two, Ellie Haddington from Motherland, Niall Macgregor from Line of Duty, Louise Brealey from Sherlock and Casualty, Greg McHugh from Fresh Meat, Frances Grey from Home Fires, and Stuart Townsend, known for The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, reports the Daily Record.
Shetland series 10 cast list
Alison O’Donnell as DI Alison ‘Tosh’ Mcintosh
Ashley Jensen and Alison O’Donnell in Shetland(Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
Alison has been part of Shetland from the outset, initially appearing alongside Douglas Henshall before his departure from the role of DI Jimmy Perez in series seven.
Discussing where Tosh finds herself at the beginning of series 10, Alison explained: “At the start of this new series, Tosh has really settled into her role as DI. Having reached a maturational threshold during season nine, realising that certain relationships were no longer serving her, she is knuckling down at work and focussing on the things in her life that truly matter.”
Alison’s credits also include Holby City and the film Pet Sematary.
Ashley Jensen as DI Ruth Calder
Ashley succeeded Douglas in 2023, though prior to Shetland she gained recognition through Agatha Raisin, Afterlife, Catastrophe, Ugly Betty and Extras amongst numerous other productions.
Regarding her character Calder’s position in the new series, Ashley commented: “She’s pretty settled into the police station and her life in Shetland. She’s unpacked all her boxes and settled into the community – well as much as Ruth Calder ever could.”
Steven Robertson as Sandy
Steven Robertson as Detective Sandy Wilson(Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
Steven reprises his role as Detective Sandy Wilson, a character who has featured in the programme since its launch in 2013. Audiences will also know Steven from The Bay, Harlots and Being Human.
In the tenth series, Sandy finds himself exceptionally occupied. Juggling the continuing drugs operation that kicks off the series alongside the murder of Eadie Tulloch, he’s torn between two significant investigations unfolding simultaneously.
Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy Mccabe
Lewis Howden as Sgt Billy Mccabe(Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
Lewis is set to reprise his role as Sgt Billy Mccabe, and this year he’ll be filming on location in the Shetland Isles rather than the studio where his office scenes are typically shot.
Audiences will know Lewis from Taggart, Hope Springs and more recently Annika.
Samuel Anderson as Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake
Samuel Anderson as Procurator Fiscal Matt Blake(Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
Matt represents a completely new character portrayed by Samuel Anderson. Discussing his role, Samuel explained: “Matt has recently joined the Shetland team as Procurator Fiscal, he’s a bit of a city boy and this is the first time he’s been away from a massive population. He’s a young, ambitious guy and the position he’s climbed to very quickly says a lot about him and his drive an intellect as well as his desire to do good both for himself and his counterparts.”
Audiences will know Samuel from his part in Gavin and Stacey as Fingers, alongside Mal in Amandaland, Leon in Loaded and Daniel in Trollied. Samuel also appeared in Doctor Who playing Danny Pink and as Ross Kirk in Emmerdale between 2007 and 2009.
Guest characters
Clive Russell as Arthur Mair and Ellie Haddington as Lana Mair(Image: BBC/Silverprint Films/Jamie Simpson)
Clive Russell (Outlander, Game of Thrones) as Arthur Mair.
Ellie Haddington (Motherland) as Lana Mair.
Niall Macgregor (Line of Duty) as Tom Jameson Louise Brealey, known for her roles in Sherlock and Casualty, will be playing Isobel Jameson.
Greg Mchugh, from Fresh Meat, is set to portray Colin Waite.
Frances Grey, of Home Fires fame, will take on the role of Gina Powell.
Stuart Townsend, recognised for his part in The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen, will be Edward ‘Ed’ Tulloch.
